When he officially became captain in 1952, having previously led Surrey on an irregular basis, Wisden observed that “he took control of a side which was rich in talent but needed to feel the smack of firm government to do itself real justice”.

Surridge provided that smack and inspired players with his enthusiasm and energy.

He also fostered a strong sense of togetherness, whether by fielding close to the bat in dangerous positions (a la Brian Close), by sharing ideas with players, or by abolishing the antiquated accommodation and travel distinctions that then prevailed between amateurs and professionals.

Surridge was a modest cricketer. In 267 first-class matches, he averaged 12.94 with the bat and took 506 wickets with bustling fast-medium at 29.89.

First and foremost, he was a leader of men, with the legendary Douglas Jardine, one of his predecessors at Surrey, pinpointing “inspiration” as his greatest gift.

Wisden wrote that Surridge combined Jardine’s combativeness with Percy Fender’s imagination and that, on the field, he had “a strong streak of aggression”, with Surridge always preferring to take the attacking option. He died in Derbyshire in 1992, aged 74, his name now immortalised by the Surridge Gates.